Lightning's Nikita Kucherov quickest to 100 points since 1996-97

Tampa Bay right winger Nikita Kucherov's goal in the second period against Buffalo on Thursday night gave him his 100th point of the season, making him the quickest to that milestone in more than 20 years.

Kucherov, who leads the NHL in scoring, reached the century mark in the Lightning's 62nd game when he finished a 2-on-1 with Tyler Johnson for his 30th goal of the season. He's the fastest to 100 points since 1996-97, when Mario Lemieux did it in the Penguins' 61st game.

Steven Stamkos and Kucherov scored in the shootout, giving Tampa Bay a 2-1 win and 100 points on the season. The Lightning, who ran their winning streak to eight on Thursday, are the fastest team to 47 wins in NHL history.

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Kucherov, 25, is in his sixth season with the Lightning and has now reached 100 points for a second straight year. A second-round draft pick of the Lightning in 2011, he is one of three Tampa Bay players -- along with Brayden Point and Stamkos -- among the NHL's top 10 scorers.